Sorry for the late update.
Now unto the story…
Konoha
Compared to the situation in Little Garden, in Naruto's home Konoha there is a tense atmosphere. It was found out that the Hokage's eldest son gone missing yesterday while strolling in the village, people began questioning about security of the village and they are a single step away from causing mass hysteria. Experts (*senile old men who call themselves elders*) says that it is a case kidnapping by the enemy villages who will Naruto for ransom or other reasons.
Though nobody believed that.
Various people gave various theories one more ridiculous than the previous. There are even rumor that he eloped with some girl that the Namikaze Family didn't accepted. All of which was denied by the Hokage and the father of the kidnapped boy. This news also spread to other villages in less than two hours due to the hard work of their spies who later got caught and had a date with Ibiki.
In less than 12 hours the whole world was shaken by this news and pretty much everyone are on the edge while pointing finger at each other waiting for the shoe to drop. Everyone has the same question in their mind.
What happened to Naruto?
While the unrelated people are coming up with ridiculous theories, coincidentally all have listed a certain snake as their number two suspect and a certain crippled one-eyed peas *ahem* old man as their third suspect, the members of Namikaze family are in a hysteresis.
First of all let's go to the mother of the boy, she is a red-haired fair skinned woman who has violet eyes and a very short temper. She also happens to be an s-ranked kunoichi of the village who has taken retirement in order to raise her children. Her name is Kushina Uzumaki who happens to be the mother of three and Naruto, the kidnapped boy is her first. While parents favor their youngest the most but there is a backwards in this family. Naruto happens to be the most loved of the family to the point of favoritism. When he was little he always dreamed of becoming a powerful ninja like his mother (**Mama's Boy**) which in turn made the said mother very happy. But a tragedy struck when she gave birth to twins and the dream of the boy is forever torn from the boy.
This in turn made her very defensive of the boy to the point it could be called overprotective2. She became very adamant about taking care of the boy much to the chagrin of the boy but he didn't complain. Coincidentally the twins instead of being jealous of the boy which would have normal they admired the boy as their older brother.
That admiration turned into obsession after a certain incident.
Kushina was on the verge of a warpath against the five nations when she found out Naruto's disappearance, she nearly done an Edo-Tensei on Mito Uzumaki who was a skill sensor to sniff out Naruto. Though it only thanks to Minato and the twins that the bullet was narrowly dodged. But at that time a certain phrase escaped Minato's mouth to which Kushina latched on and now we move on to that situation.
Inside Namikaze mansion
Minato Namikaze is currently sitting on a seiza position on the ground near the sofa in front of his beloved wife, looking like a naughty child who got caught while masturbating to his school idol's photo.
If anyone of Elemental Nation has to see this scene they sure will laugh at the man. But they are the only ones who didn't know that wrath of the woman known as Kushina. Ignorance is a bliss they say.
"So care to explain what you mean by that?" the principal like voice of Kushina brought the man out of his musings.
"What?" Minato tried to play the ignorance card.
A look is enough to bring him back to the right track.
Earlier while Minato was subduing Kushina from her decision of reviving Mito Uzumaki as well as Hashirama Senju, two of the most well known sensors of the world Minato slipped the fact that Naruto is a very powerful individual who was personally trained by him.
'Calm down Kushina Naruto can't be kidnapped that easily. He was trained by me from an early age after all' is what he blurted out but never in his wildest dream had he thought that among the chaos she could remember that particular sentence.
In short he was fucked from all the direction without a means to escape.
After getting the full blast of killing intent from an Uzumaki mother Minato started to sing like a singer. Not a single detail was left out; from Naruto's combat capability to his omnipotent power Minato spilled everything.
Result? That would be couch for him for one year.
A very harsh punishment for any loyal husband out there who loved their wife.
God has mercy on the poor sap.
As for Kushina she had a mixed feeling, on one hand she was very happy that her son is that much powerful but on the other hand she was a little hurt that her darling of a son would hide something like that from her.
Doesn't he trust her enough?
Minato who saw the dilemma of the woman could clearly guess what his wife was feeling and in turn consoled her.
"I don't think it's a matter of trust Kushina" on said woman's puzzled face he elaborated "Naruto always has a dream to be powerful enough to protect his family more importantly his mother. But due to that tragedy he was denied the means to achieve that dream but his will didn't fade, he put on a smile on his face in order to protect your smile. He knew that if he would throw a tantrum or brood then it will affect you and you would be sad so he never complained on anything"
Hearing this Kushina couldn't stop herself anymore and flung to the arms of Minato and cried her eyes out and Minato consoled her while patting her back.
Minato decreased his sentence to 11 months and 22 days after his actions.
After Kushina got herself under control she asked about everything related to Naruto which consist of a better half of his combat abilities and Minato without a second thought revealed everything. Unknown to them they have an eavesdropper in the form of Menma Namikaze who heard everything and ran towards Mito's room to relay what he heard.
While the condition of the Elemental nation is like this let us go back to Little Garden where the one responsible for all the above is preparing himself to watch a battle between a scum and his newly made friends.
Once again Ignorance is bliss.
Little Garden Outer Gate Number 2105380. Peribed Way, In front of the Fountain Plaza.
Naruto, Asuka, Yō, Jin, Kuro Usagi, Izayoi and the Calico cat were on their way to Fores Garo's Residential District when someone called out to them from the sidewalk cafe emblazoned with the Six Scars' crest which they had patronized just yesterday.
"Ah! The honored customers of yesterday! Are you perhaps on your way to battle right now!?"
"Ah, the nee-chan with the nicely bent tail! Yep, Yep, Ojou and the others are currently making their way to launch their attack!" [Calcio Cat]
The cat-eared waitress padded closer to Asuka and the rest and greeted them with a bow.
"The Boss told me to cheer you on too! Our Community had enough of their atrocities too! After all, they did do whatever they pleased in all of the Free, Residential, and Stage Districts of this Outer Gate Number 2105830. Please teach them a lesson and make them unable to commit any more heinous crimes!"
The cat-eared girl with nicely bent tail cheered them on, waving her hands about vehemently.
Smiling bitterly, Asuka responded with a resolute nod.
"Nn, that is our intention."
"Ooh! That's quite a reassuring response!", answered the cat-girl with a huge smile.
But suddenly, she toned down her volume to whisper to them softly:
"Actually, I've something to tell you. I heard talk that those [Fores Garo] guys won't be using the Stage District within their territory for the Game and that they had chosen the Residential District instead."
"In the Residential District?" The one who asked that was Kuro Usagi. Asuka tilted her head in confusion upon hearing the unfamiliar expression.
"Kuro Usagi. What exactly is a 'Stage District'?" [Asuka]
"It's a District exclusively for the holding of Gift Games."
Stage Districts are territories within the Community Grounds where Communities can hold their Gift Games. There are very few people that possess Game Boards in different dimensions like Shiroyasha. Even more so on the Lower Levels. The Free Districts contained commercial and recreational facilities, and the Residential Districts were used for lodging, gardening and raising livestock. Each Outer Gate had an immense number of those Districts connected to them.
"And there is more! They chased out all their comrades and the Communities they rule from there!"
"...That is indeed a strange thing to do."
Asuka and the rest looked at each other and tilted their head in puzzlement.
"Right, right!? I don't know what kind of Game it will be, but at any rate, please be careful!" Kuro Usagi warned them.
Accepting that passionate cheer for them, they headed for the Residential District of [Fores Garo].
"Ooh, everyone! We can see it ... now."
For a moment Kuro Usagi doubted her eyes. The others had the same thought as well. The reason was that the Residential District before them was turned into a jungle-like environment. Reaching the ivy covered gate, Yō reached out to touch the plant, murmuring while looking at the densely interlocking canopies.
"... . A jungle?"
"Well it's a Community where a tiger lives. Not that strange really." [Naruto]
"No, it's really strange. [Fores Garo]'s Residential District should've been a perfectly ordinary one... And those trees... it couldn't be..."
Jin carefully reached for one of the trees. The tree branch was pulsating like a living being and it felt like the pulse of a vein under his touch.
"These really are ... Demonified? No, it can't be..."
"Jin-kun. There's a Geass Roll pasted up here", called out Asuka. On the gatepost there was a parchment with the written specifics of this time's Game.
GIFT GAME NAME: "Hunting"
List of Participant(s):
*Kudou Asuka
*Kasukabe Yō
*Jin Russel
Clearing Condition(s):
*The suppression of Galdo Gasper, who is lurking within the base of the Host.
Clearing Method(s):
*The suppression is only possible with the use of a designated weapon specified by the Host side. Aside from the designated weapon, Galdo Gasper is protected by the Geass and cannot be injured.
Defeat Condition(s):
*In case of surrender, or when the players become unable to fulfill the Win Condition mentioned above.
Designated Weapon(s):
*Placed within the Game Territory
Oath: Respecting the above rules, the No-Name will proudly participate in the
Gift Game under their Banner.
"Fores Garo" Seal
"Galdo himself is the Win Condition ... and with a designated weapon!?" [Jin]
"Thi-this is bad!"
Jin and Kuro Usagi were almost screaming.
"Is this Game that dangerous?" Asuka asked them looking worried.
"No, the Game itself is simple. The problem is this rule. With this rule in place Asuka-san can't control him with her Gift and he can't be injured by Yō-san's Gift either...!"
Asuka asked Kuro Usagi with a grim look on her face:
" ... what does that mean?"
"He is being protected not by a Gift, but by the Geass instead. With this condition, not even a Divinity holder could do anything to him. By including his own life in the Win Condition, he overcame the powers the two of you have!" Kuro Usagi explained.
"I'm sorry, it was an oversight on my part. We should have decided on the rules on the spot from the beginning, when we were creating the Geass Roll..." Jin apologized while lowering his head.
Since the one deciding the rules was the Host side, agreeing to a blank Game is nothing less than suicidal. Jin, who didn't participate in any Gift Game so far, did not know just how foolish it was to participate in a blank Gift Game that did not have its terms confirmed.
"So the enemy evened out the chances by putting his life on the line? From the view of a spectator, this sure makes it more entertaining."
"Well you can say that again"
Are the reactions of Monster Duo of the group after they read the conditions.
"You sound very carefree saying that ... these terms are quite severe. There is not even a mention of what the designated weapon is, fighting like this could prove to be harsh." Asuka murmured while inspecting the Geass Roll with a stern expression.
She must've felt responsible for the Game she initiated. When Kuro Usagi and Yō noticed that, they grasped Asuka's hand and tried to cheer her up.
"I-it's alright! It's clearly stated in the Geass Roll as 'Designated' weapon! In other words, there must be a hint somewhere at least. If for some reason there is no hint provided, then it counts as breaking the rules and Fores Garo's defeat will be set in stone for having flouted the rules. As long as this Kuro Usagi is here, there will not be a chance for the other party to engage in foul play!"
"It's alright. We've got Kuro Usagi's assurance and I will do my best, too. We got that from Naruto too"
"...yes, indeed. Also, this kind of a disadvantage should come in handy in crushing the pride of that scoundrel." Yō said.
Kuro Usagi was enthusiastically cheering for them and Yō looked motivated. Asuka also felt energized by the supporting words of those two. This was a fight where they had thrown down the challenge and the opponent had taken it on. It should not be given up as long as there's a chance of winning.
In the background Izayoi was talking to Jin concerning last night while Naruto listening intently.
"If you don't win this Game, my strategy won't be viable. So if you lose I will leave the Community. No changes in the plan. You got that, Ochibi?"
"... I understand. We absolutely won't lose."
They can't stumble on something like this. The three contestants opened the gate and rushed in leaving behind Kuro Usagi who was the referee and the contestants who didn't participated in other words the two monsters of the community.
"They will win won't they?"
Kuro Usagi turned to her back in order to receive some kind support from the two boys as she herself is pretty nervous considering it is there first Gift Game after the tragedy only to find them sitting on a chair while eating popcorn.
They are giving off the impression of watching a movie.
"They are not even worried!" Kuro Usagi could only cry at the antics of the boys.
Opening the gate was probably the start signal for the Game as trees started to grow quickly to weave their branches around the gate to block their path of escape. The trees were standing so densely together, that they even obstructed the sunlight from coming in.
It was hard to imagine people living in this place.
A pile of broken rubble of what used to be a path of red bricks had already been torn up and scattered by roots of the huge trees that jutted out from the ground, rendering it impassable to humans. With this they won't be able to tell where the enemy will attack from.
Yō informed the nervous looking Jin and Asuka.
"Don't worry. There's nobody nearby. I can tell by scent."
"Oh, you have a dog friend too?" [Asuka]
"Yeah. Around 20 of them."
Kasukabe Yō's Gift allowed her to grow stronger whenever she became friends with a beast. This was the reason behind her outstanding physical abilities. Her five senses like hearing and sense of smell were most likely even more acute than an average Inuzuka's.
"Do you know where he is exactly?" Jin asked while looking here and there.
"I don't know yet. But I can't smell him even though he is downwind. That means there is a high chance of him laying low in a building somewhere."
"In that case, we should start searching the outside first." Asuka ordered.
The three of them started walking through the forest. The strange trees seemed to have swallowed up the homes with their growth, almost all the residences were torn up by branches and roots. The Residential District that should have been still in use the day before was now completely in ruins. Kuro Usagi said that it was impossible for Fores Garo to stage a large scale Game, however if he had the power to create a mysterious forest overnight, then they shouldn't underestimate him.
"For him this is a once in a lifetime contest. He probably had one or two hidden tricks saved up until now." [Asuka]
"Yes. In reality his combat history only consists of matches that were essentially won by default. It wouldn't be strange if he had some powerful Gifts that haven't been revealed yet. Yō-san, even if you manage to find Galdo, please don't let your guard down." [Jin]
Separating from the other two who were walking, Yō jumped on top of the tallest tree and kept a lookout for Galdo.
"...nothing. I cannot see anything that resembles a hint, and we did not find anything that would likely be the weapon." [Yō]
"It's possible that Galdo himself fills that role."
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. That is certainly true, but if they don't have the weapon, they will only be assaulted one-sidedly. If they aim for the least risky hit-and-run tactic, then they have to rely on Yō's abilities.
"Although I don't like it, let's change our course of actions. First, Yō-san please search for Galdo with your abilities."
"Already found him."
Jin and Asuka directed their gaze towards Yō on top of the tree. She jumped down from the tree and pointed towards the ruins of the red brick path.
"He is inside the headquarters. Although I only saw his shadow, I'm sure."
Kasukabe Yō's pupils were different from normal and she was looking at the headquarters with the golden pupils of a bird of prey. With the eyesight of a bird, that distance would probably pose no problem for her at all.
"Come to think of it, you also have a hawk friend. Though now that you have been summoned to a different world so suddenly, are they not sad about it?" Asuka asked.
"H-hearing you put it that way ... is a bit painful."
Yō seemed deflated.
They arrived at [Fores Garo]'s headquarters. The door emblazoned with a tiger's stripe emblem was torn off and the glass of the windows was shattered. The luxurious exterior was damaged by ivy invasion and torn down along with the wall coating.
"Galdo was on the second floor. It's safe to go in."
As expected, the interior was also in a horrible state. The order-made furniture that must have cost a fortune were knocked over and scattered around. As one would expect, the three of them had begun to have their doubts about this scene.
"Was that Stage of strange forest scenery ... really done by him, I wonder?"
"... I don't know. Although the Host side's participant is restricted to Galdo alone, he could have asked someone else to prepare the stage." Jin said while being confused as well.
"Even if he did ask someone to set the stage for him, there's not a single trap anywhere?" Yō addressed that problem.
"The forest is a tiger's territory. He prepared an advantageous stage for a surprise attack ... or not. If that was the reason, there is no meaning in hiding in their headquarters. Yeah, also there is no reason to destroy their headquarters in the first place."
Yes, that was the most suspicious. The reason for building such a luxurious headquarters must've been Galdo's desire to show off. It can be said to be the symbol of his ambitions. Would he turn it to such a pitiful state for no reason?
The three of them started walking again, now with an entirely different kind of feeling of tension. They turned all the rubble upside down and investigated every nook and cranny, but they didn't find any trace of a hint or weapon-like object. It could be a single needle, or possibly a lump of metal that's impossible to lift up. And that was the unfavorable condition that might occur due to having thrown a blank challenge for the Host to decide on the rules. But even if it's just a nagging feeling that something is out of place, which has no bearing whatsoever on the outcome of the match, it didn't hurt to be careful going forward.
"We will go up to the second floor, but Jin-kun, you wait here." Asuka ordered.
"Wh-why is that? I also have a Gift. I won't be a burd-"
"That is not the reason. There is no telling what will happen upstairs. So we split into two groups, Kasukabe-san and myself will look for hints on how to win, and I would like you to protect the path of escape." Asuka said.
Although her reply was logical, Jin was still discontent. However he also knew the importance of protecting the path of escape. So Jin reluctantly decided to wait on the lower floor. Hindered by roots, Asuka and Yō were slowly and silently advancing up the stairs. After they reached the top of the stairs, they positioned themselves on both sides of the last door and waited for an opportunity. They were both holding their breath, and just as they began to barge in resolutely, they heard from inside,
"Gr..."
"...GRRRRROAAAAARRRRR!"
A tiger monster that could no longer speak stood in their way, with its back turned towards a silver cross sword.
The roar of the beast reached the ears of Kuro Usagi and Izayoi, who were waiting in front of the
gate. All the wild birds hidden in the forest took flight at once, flying in all directions in panic.
"Th-that ferocious roar ...?" Kuro Usagi stuttered.
"Ah, that must be it. It's Kasukabe using a tiger's Gift." Naruto said while eating a popcorn from the bucket near him.
"Oh, I see. -wait, there's no way for that to be true! That was very rude, no matter how you look at it!", Kuro Usagi got angry ruffling up her rabbit ears.
Naruto wasn't serious when he said that, but he shrugged his shoulders and Izayoi gave a reason of his own.
"Then it must be Jin-bocchan."
"Enough of these stupid remarks!", she said while hitting Izayoi and Naruto with her exclusive use paper fan.
It seems that they were fairly bored. Izayoi took a branch from the strange tree that was growing around the gate and snapped it in two while smiling.
"Speaking of that roar from before and also this Stage, this Game has really become much more interesting than we anticipated. Can we go take a look?"
"Speaking of that roar from before and also this Stage, this Game has really become much more interesting than we anticipated. Can we go take a look?"
"There are Games that take money for the right to watch them, but unless it's agreed by both parties upon beforehand, it's forbidden."
"What? That's no fun. Wouldn't it be okay if we think of it as the [Judge Master] and her escort?"
"As I said, we can't do that. These wonderful rabbit ears can grasp the general situation even from here. As long as it's not in a separate dimension where I can't perceive the situation, getting closer is strictly prohibited."
Tsk..., Izayoi clicked his tongue and murmured while tearing a wriggling tree branch apart vertically.
"... rabbit-san of noble birth, really useless."
"At least say it where I can't hear it! That sort of comment would really make Kuro Usagi seriously downhearted!" Kuro Usagi was clobbering him lightly.
However in reality Kuro Usagi knew what the current situation was and her heart was beating rapidly, praying for the trio's well-being.
'These demonified plants... she is most likely involved in this. That means the Game must've been built on fair rules. Please be alright everyone!' she prayed in her heart.
Naruto looked at a downhearted Izayoi and then a worried Kuro Usagi. A smile crept on his face as he addressed them both.
"Well let's watch what is happening there" Naruto announced as a transparent window appeared in front of them.
"Naruto-san you can't its against the rule! We can lose the game" Kuro Usagi desperately tried to persuade Naruto but it's already too late as the window began showing positions of all the respective participants.
Kuro Usagi already prepared herself to hear the announcement of breaching the rule and being disqualified by the main system but nothing of that sort happened, in fact now that she checked all the signals she was receiving are quite normal as if the game is going as per the guidelines.
"H-How?" Kuro Usagi couldn't help but ask as she stared at the window that Izayoi and Naruto are intently watching hell they could even listen to what they are talking about. Naruto stared at her with a smile and muttered four words.
"It's Fourth Wall Awareness"
END
How is it?
Good?
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Sorry if you guys are expecting some Naruto action but don't worry he will be the centre of the stage after this arc so stay tuned. Next chapter will mark end of fores garo arc.
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